The Beauty of Shabbat
There is nothing….nothing like Shabbat at camp.
In their “Shabbat whites,” the entire camp sings their way into the Beit Tefillah.
A sea of white…
The Two Rachels lead us in song.
Even Peach loves Shabbos!
Shavua tov from JewCamp!
Mitzvah Denied
Dear FDA,
It was my intention to help save a life today by participating in a blood drive, organized by the Avodah-niks here at JewCamp. Much to my disappointment, I have been deferred from donating blood or any blood products for the foreseeable future. It seems my semester abroad **nearly EIGHTEEN YEARS ago** exposed me to culture, history, and, potentially, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), more commonly known as Mad Cow Disease.
Is this what was meant when the brochure said that my study-abroad experience would continue to affect my life long after I returned home?
Sincerely,
Frume Sarah
Careful What You Say
Beernut has a love/hate relationship with food. [Actually, Beernut has a love/hate relationship with most everything….] And it goes beyond picky-eating. I should know. I am from the picky-eaters. His issues with food have more to do with his Asperger’s and it can make mealtime incredibly difficult for him and for his dining companions.
In order to make his JewCamp experience a more positive one, we talked a lot about how important it is to make good food choices as well as stay hydrated. “I have no control over the menu, Beernut, and you have no control over the menu,” I warned him. “So you just need to eat what is served. Worst case scenario, there’s always peanut butter and jelly.”
Out of the seven meals we have had so far, Beernut has had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for at least four of them.
Dinner tonight? Taco salad with nacho chips. Beernut has strict orders from his orthodontist NOT to eat chips.
But Mom, you told me to eat what is served, remember? And I just don’t think it would be a good choice to have another peanut butter sandwich.
Then Came the Dog that Ate the Kid
First day of JewCamp is now complete. Both Beernut and Poppyseed spent the afternoon and evening in session and are back in Faculty Row. Sleeping.
Peach’s day had a rockier start.
Drop-off at Camp Katan was nowhere near as smooth as it ought to have been. Things were going just swell until the camp dog, Angel, stopped by for a brief visit. Peach, who has a deep-rooted fear of dogs, leapt into my arms. Not an unremarkable feat given that it was about 15 inches off the ground. Poor kid.
The rest of the day was perfect for him. Fun times in Katan. Delicious shluffie. T’fillah by the lake. And spaghetti for dinner.
Until…Angel brushed past him in the Chadar Ochel. That was Peach’s undoing. Never have I felt his little three-year-old body tremble so fiercely.
To the best of my knowledge, there is no canine trauma in Peach’s past. However, when I asked him why he was so afraid of the little dog, he said that he was afraid the dog was going to eat him.
On Our Way
Our annual journey up to JewCamp has commenced. Several significant differences this time round:
- Virtually all of the packing was completed the night prior to our departure;
- FrumeSarah was incredibly calm the morning of departure;
- Instead of making our way north over three days, we are doing it in two;
- A different route was needed due to the shortened trip;
- The kids were really terrific for what was a very long drive.
and
Though a dip in the pool was originally part of the plan, the kids just wanted to relax and watch television. They are so tired that not one of them even mentioned the pool.
Incidentally, Peach prefers The Book of Mormon to the Gideon Bible. It’s got more pictures.
Just Right
While taking advantage of the pool at my Papa’s apartment, the Littles (that is, Poppyseed and Peach) and I were having difficulty deciding between the (unheated) swimming pool and the (overheated) spa.
FrumeSarah: Why, this is just like Goldilocks. We’ve got the Papa Bear pool (the spa) and the Mama Bear pool (the swimming pool). All we are missing is the Baby Bear pool.
At which point, Poppyseed indulged us with her very entertaining version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
As I was listening to Poppyseed’s account of that which transpired in a little home that housed talking bears, I remembered that one part of the story had troubled me since I was quite young.
FS: Does anyone else think it’s strange that Papa Bear and Mama Bear sleep in separate beds?
Poppyseed: Oh Mama, that’s just how some families work.
Smarter than I Look
Today was my annual trek to our local guitar store. Prior to leaving for JewCamp, I stock up on strings, picks, and anything else I might need to make some great music. Three things give the impression that I don’t belong: my gender, no visible tatts, and a lack of piercings.
Register Guy: “May I help you find something, miss?”
FrumeSarah: “I need some strings.”
RG: “Well, we have many kinds.”
FS: “I’m looking for Elixir Extra Light”
RG (to his colleague): “She knows them by name.”
FS: And some Dunlop Tortex. And a couple of pick holders. Just in case.”
Remember, fellas, looks can be deceiving.
To Be or Not To Be
Well, for the fourth year running, neither BossGiraffe nor I were named to Newsweek‘s 50 Most Influential Rabbis in America. And I, for one, am glad.
A couple of buddies (Jay Sanderson, CEO of JTN Productions; Michael Lynton, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment; and Gary Ginsberg, executive vice president of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.) got together and, using a the following unscientific criteria, created an admittedly subjective list:
- Are they known nationally/internationally? (20 points)
- Do they have political/social influence? (20 points)
- Do they have a media presence? (10 points)
- Are they leaders within their communities? (10 points)
- Are they considered leaders in Judaism or their movements? (10 points)
- How big are their constituencies? (10 points)
- Have they made an impact on Judaism in their career? (10 points)
- Have they made a greater impact beyond the Jewish community and their rabbinical training? (10 points)
I am glad that I am not on that list because I have never subscribed to the “bigger is better” philosophy. I like that our shul is small enough that the rabbis know the congregants. That each and every one of our B’nai Mitzvah students is prepared to lead their service by the rabbis. Would it be great to have a shul that could put up an Israel tour every year? Sure. That I would love. And I’m certain there are many benefits that come from having a big “constituency.”
But I wouldn’t trade what we’ve got. Not even to be on some list.
Does that mean that we aren’t influential? What do you think?
Cockle-Warming
Mazal tov to the kallah and chatan. I have never met them, but something about their story is just so compelling. May their union build up the entire house of Israel.
And in other news…. head on over to A Time of the Signs for this week’s edition of Haveil Havalim.
Ten
Dear “Lovebug” (Beernut),
It seems hard to believe that I have been a mother for an entire decade. Well-meaning people told me that I had no idea how my life would change once you were in it. I accepted the fact that only experience would allow me to measure those changes. And, indeed, my life did change. Little did I know how much my life would be enriched, challenged, and blessed by your very presence. Little did I know that the best feeling in the world was a child’s hand slipped into mine.
Your daily life is fraught with frustration, hurdles, and disappointments. There are times that your ability to face them is astonishing. There are times that your inability to handle them is heartbreaking. Your days, too, frequently see victories. Victories, no matter how small, that are still victories.
You have been looking forward to being “double-digits” and now you are. One decade. Ten years old.
“What will change now that I’m double-digits?” you may wonder.
Not much. Same bedtime because whatever time we choose, you always wander off to bed when you are tired. Same rules about the Wii because you are not yet ready to make wise choices regarding your play time. Same sweet neshama because God was so wise in leaving behind the best Divine parts in you.
Today is a special day. You have pushed yourself so hard this week, tackling tasks you were convinced were beyond your ability, and culminating with a daytrip to the beach. Which you recently swore you would never do. It will conclude with a celebratory Shabbos dinner at BubbeGiraffe’s (she’s making your favourite Teriyaki chicken!) where we will share some exciting news about school for next year (Hint: no changes here…). We will remember, as we have sadly done for the past four years, Gilad Shalit, whose life is intertwined with yours. As you celebrate your birth each June 25th, his family marks the anniversary of his capture on June 25th, 2006. The love I feel for you differs in only one way from the love Aviva Shalit feels for her son; I can express mine freely to you, whenever and wherever I choose. Aviva has had that right stripped away by Hamas, who continue to hold her son without permitting members of the ICRC to visit him and confirm his well-being. A denial that is in violation of international humanitarian law. I pray for the birthday that will not be tinged with the sadness we feel for the Shalit family.
And so on this bittersweet day, son of my right hand, Daddy and I wish you a year of continued growth as you conclude the first decade of your life.
With love,
“Sweetpea” (Mom)
Frume Sarah is Shabbos-observant -- in a Reform way, that is. Please note that from Friday afternoons until one hour after sundown on Saturday evenings, Frume Sarah will be unavailable, in observance of the Jewish Sabbath.
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Thank you for your understanding...and gut Shabbos!!! 
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